Metal finish



R. L. SMITH METAL FINISH Aug. 19, 1941.

Filed May 20, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet l R. L. SMITH METAL FINISH Aug. 19, 1941.

Filed May 20, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 V Aug. 19, 1941. slum-l v ETAL FINISH Filed Ma 20., 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet s I I I I v R. L. SMITH METAL FINISH Aug. 19, 1941.

Filed May 20, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 faymomz z. 571% Gimp Patented Aug. 19, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METAL FINISH Raymond L. Smith, Columbus, Ohio' Application May 20, 1937, Serial No. 143,808

7 Claims.

The present invention relates to metal finish material for building structures and furnishings therefor, and the method of manufacturing the same.

An object of the invention is the provision of a metallic building finish or ornamental framework made up of a plurality of metallic strips sufliciently thin and narrow to permit their being bent individually and thus as a unit, edgewise in the longitudinal plane of the material. Preferably, these strips, during their formation, have their longitudinal edges provided with cooperating interfitting elements whereby two or more strips may be placed together in a slidable interlocking, engagement in the same plane. Thus, when the strips are bent or curved edgewise in their longitudinal plane, they will be free to slide, one with respect to the other, along their longitudinal edges. With this arrangement, I have found that a number of interfitted, interlocked or other abutting strips may be readily bent or curved with a minimum of force, without buckling or distorting the transverse plane of the material.

The strips, after they are formed and placed in interfitting or other abutting engagement with other strips of like character, may be bent or curved in any desired configuration and used in any suitable manner, such as a metal sheathing for doors or archways, as a metallic finish for wall mirrors, as a molding or in any other arrangement where it is desired to obtain an ornamental finish, either for modernistic or other settings.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention will be now more particularly described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view of a plurality of metallic strips forming the basis of the present invention, placed together in interlocking engagement.

Figure 2 is a section on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is one embodiment of my invention applied as a framework of a doorway.

Figure 4 is an enlarged section showing a plurality of the strips associated with end finish strips.

V Figure 5 is a section showing a plurality of the strips applied to a corner finish strip.

Figure 6 is a section showing the strips associated with an intermediate finish and fastening strip.

Figure 'l is a perspective view of a finish or framework for a doorway formed of a plurality of the strips wherein the material is curved both edgewise and fiatwise longitudinally of the material and transversely of the material.

Figure 8 is a section on line 8-8 of Figure '7.

Figure 9 discloses a plurality of strips formed into a metal finish for a wall mirror.

Figure 10 is a section on line l0-l0 of Figure 9.

Figure 11 discloses a plurality of the strips utilized as an outside finish for a circular mirror wherein the material is curved throughout its length.

Figure 12 is a section disclosing a plurality of strips having their longitudinal "edges interfitting but not interlocking engagement.

Figure 13 is a section showing a plurality of strips having dovetail interlocking elements and square shoulder portions for preventing relative lateral movement of the material.

Figure 14 is a section of a modification showing the strips in abutting relation.

Figure 15 is a section of a further modification showing the strips in interlocking engagement.

Figures 16 and 17 are sections of modified forms of end fastening strips.

Figures 18 and 19 are sections of modified forms of intermediate fastening strips.

Figure 20 is a section of a modification showing a section through a plurality of interfitting strips.

Figure 21 is a side elevation, partly in section, of an apparatus for extruding, severing, connecting and rolling a plurality of strips prior to being bent.

Figure 22 is a top plan view of the apparatus of Figure 20',

Figure 23 is a section on 21, and

Figure 24 is a section of a further modification of an interlocking joint between respective strips.

Referring now to the drawings, the numeral l6 designates one of a plurality of relatively thin, narrow strips which is secured to its next adjacent strip by means of a tongue and groove or other interlocking arrangement. As an example, each strip, as it is formed or after it has been formed, is provided with a tongue I! along one of its longitudinal edges and a groove l8 in its opposite longitudinal edge. If it is desired, each strip may have its longitudinal edges beveled or notched as at I9 in order to permit a certain line 22-22 of Figure amount of lateral movement of each strip with respect to its next adjacent strip. This provides a certain amount of flexibility to permit rolling of the strips. It also produces a reeded effect to the assembled strips, thus forming a material of somewhat diiferent appearance than if the strips were not notched or beveled.

Each strip, during its formation, is made sufficiently narrow and thin to permit the same, together with a plurality of like strips, to be bent or curved individually, and as a unit, edgewise in the longitudinal plane of the material without buckling. The strips, therefore, are necessarily formed very narrow and preferably only of a thickness which permits a tongue and groove or other interlocking formation to be formed on the longitudinal edges of the strips. Thus, in actual practice, the strips are considerably narrower and thinner than those shown in the majority of the views, and it is to be understood that they are illustrated in this manner primarily to clearly disclose the invention and to show the tongue and groove arrangement by which the adjacent strips are connected together.

While any desired means and material may be utilized in the formation of the strips, I have found that satisfactory results are obtained by extruding the material and forming the same of an aluminum alloy. Referring now to Figures 21 to 23, there is disclosed one method and apparatus for forming and associating the strips in interlocking engagement. The numeral designates an extruding machine of any desired formation into which the metal may be introduced in either a cold or heated condition. The material is extruded by means of the plunger 2| through the discharge opening 22, This opening is of a configuration to extrude the material with a tongue and groove or other desired interlocking arrangement, as described above. The strip, as it is extruded, is supported upon a table 23 and may be extruded to any desired length depending upon the type of finish, or finish which is to be constructed. Therefore, the length of the strips shown in these views is merely for purposes of illustration and convenience.

As each strip is extruded to the desired length, it comes in contact with a spring pressed abutment 24 which is connected to one contact element 25 of a switch 26. This switch is suitably connectedin circuit with an automatic severing device 27 which severs the strip adjacent the opening 22 by means of the reciprocating knife 23. Any suitable means, such as a motor 29 having a reduction gearing 30, may be used for operating the knife 28.

In addition to the automatic severing mechanism, I provide means for moving each strip as it is severed, laterally of the opening 22 and into a position whereby one of the interlocking elements of the severed strip will be in a line to engage and interlock with one of the elements on the next strip as it is being extruded. Furthermore, by reason of the notched or beveled portions I9, these strips may be rolled together after they have been extruded and interlocked. This is accomplished by positioning a roll 3| to one side of the extruding machine and intermittently actuating it in. timed relation to the extruding operation whereby the strips are automatically rolled together after being extruded. The roll 3| is operated by means of a motor 32 having reduction gearing 33, the motor and roll being actuated by a suitable control element 34 positioned adjacent the shearing mechanism 21. Referring to Figure 23, it will be observed that the reciprocating shearing element 28 is provided with a laterally extendin arm 35, which upon downward movement of the shearing knife 28, actuates a switch element 36 closing the circuit to the motor 32 and thereby moving the strip which has just be extruded, laterally of the opening 22 and into a position to engage and interlock with the next strip to be extruded. At the same time, as the strips are formed, they are rolled or coiled into a bundle 31, so that they will be compact and in condition for storing or shipping. The rolling mechanism is shown only for purposes of illustration and may be positioned at any point with respect to the extruding opening 22. It is to be understood that the first few strips that are extruded must be manually handled and positioned with respect to the extruding opening 22 until a sufiicient number have been formed to permit attachment to the rolling mechanism 3 I.

It is to be further understood that the above described extruding, severing, and strip associating mechanism is merely illustrative of one means for forming and associating the several strips and that any other extruding apparatus and method may be utilized. Furthermore, the invention, in its broad aspect, is not limited to the formation of the strips by extruding, as other strip forming means and methods may be utilized. The main requisite is that the strips be formed sufficiently narrow and thin to permit a plurality of the strips to be bent or curved as a unit edgewise in the longitudinal plane of the material to form an arched framework or other ornamental finish. Furthermore, depending on the type of finish to be used, these strips should be suificiently thin and narrow to permit them to be bent or curved sidewise or in a plane transverse to or out of the original longitudinal plane of the material. As an example, and referring particularly to Figure 7, there is disclosed a doorway 38 composed of a vertically extending supporting structure and a connecting archway covered by a metal finish 39. The front face 40 of this finish is composed of a plurality of the strips l6, as clearly shown in Figure 8, and these strips, as the finish is applied, are bent or curved as a unit edgewise in the longitudinal plane of the material. However, the portion of the finish M, which projects inwardly from the front face of the doorway, is bent or curved sidewise or out of the original longitudinal plane of the material.

Referring to Figure 3, there is disclosed a flat facing or finish which is applied as a framework to the arched doorway 42. I have found that by reason of the thinness and particularly the narrowness of each strip and because of the substantially loose interlocking arrangement which permits slippage or edge to edge movement between adjacent strips, a plurality of these strips capable of forming a framework of any desired width may be manually bent or curved to the desired configuration without buckling or distorting the transverse plane of the material, For instance, the finish material 43 may be positioned at one side of the door and manually bent or curved about the archway to bring the finish to the desired shape and position. By reason of the fact that the diameter of the innermost strip forming the finish of the archway will be less than that of the succeeding strips, the end portions of the strips will therefore assume the positions shown in dotted lines in Figure 3 wherein these ends are in staggered relation. Therefore, before applying the finish, this fact must be taken into consideration and sufficient allowance be made to permit the material to be of the correct length after the uneven ends have been severed from the strips, The ends of the strips may rest directly upon the base of the doorway or any suitable bottom finish element (not shown) maybe provided as desired. It is to be understood that the finish may be bent or curved to the desired form before being applied to the doorway or other supporting structure.

It is apparent that the inner and outermost strips comprising the finish or sheathing 43 are not identical with the rest of the strips, that is, they comprise end finish strips in which their outermost longitudinal edges are not provided with cooperating interlocking elements. As shown in Figure 4, the outermost strip 44 is formed slightly thicker and wider than the rest of the strips and the inner longitudinal edge thereof is provided with a groove for receiving the tongue of the next adjacent strip. The innermost strip 145 is perfectly plain on its inner longitudinal edge and is provided with a tongue engageable with the groove of the next adjacent strip. Each of the strips 44 and 45 must necessarily be formed from an extruding machine having a different extruding opening than that of the opening '22 through which the strips 16 are extruded. This, of course, is a mere detail which may be easily taken care of by having a separate extruding ma- .chine or providing movable plates with different extruding discharge openings.

In applying the finish 43 to the doorway, the strips I6, which are in interlocking engagement, are laid flat against the supporting structure on one side of the doorway, In this position suitable fastening means are applied to the inner and outer strips 44 and 45. This may comprise any desirable fastening elements and in the present instance I have disclosed each strip as having spaced openings for the reception of screws 46. Furthermore, each of these strips is preferably formed a longitudinally extending groove 41 in which the fastener receiving openings are located. After the screws have been applied up to the arch 42, the strips are then bent edgewise as a unit, about the arch, additional screws being applied as the strips are bent to their final form. This procedure continues until the entire finish is fastened in place. Before the extreme end of the finish can be secured to the lower portion of the doorway of-the other side, the uneven ends of the strips must be trimmed. After the screws 46 are applied to secure the strips M and 45 in position, the heads of the screws are preferably hidden by applying inserts 48 in the grooves or channels 41, These may be easily and quickly sprung into positionand held in the grooves :by frictional engagement. Before applying the finish to the supporting structure, either the inner face of the finish or sheathing or the receiving face of the supporting structure may be coated with a suitable adhesive, to assist in securing the strips in correct position. I have found that adhesive of the type used for securing linoleum to floors is quite effective and in Figure 18 there is disclosed a wall and finish to which the adhesive has been applied.

In forming sheathings for doorways in which the finish is to extend inwardly of the doorway, as shown in Figure 7, the strips may all be uniform as shown in section in Figure 8 or a corner plate may be utilized as shown in Figure 5. This, of course, depends upon the contour of the supporting structure. If it is to be substantially square, as shown in Figure 5, then it is. desirable that an intermediate corner strip 49 be utilized. This strip, similar to the strips 44 and 415, must be extruded separately from the rest of the strips [-6 and is provided with a centrally disposed groove 50 having spaced openings for the reception of suitable fastening elements 5!. Likewise, a finish strip 5.2 is inserted in the groove 50 after the screws have been applied.

In some instances, it may be desirable to form the finish in the manner disclosed in Figure 6. In this instance, the fastening strip 53 is formed in a manner similar to the strip 49 but the strips 54 extending on the outer side of the strip 53 are preferably provided with dovetailed interlocking elements 55 having squared or unnotched shoulders 56. With this arrangement, there is no need for any further fastening elements to retain the strips 54 in correct position due to the fact that he combination of the dovetails and the straight shoulder portions prevent any lateral or side movement of the strips, as is possible in the case of the strips l6 having the notched or beveled portions l9. It will be observed that the extreme end strip 51 has been made in the form of an end molding and these moldings may be utilized as desired, that is, the outer and inner longitudinal edges of the end strips 44 and 45 may be finished similarly to the strip 51. As stated above, it is to be clearly understood'that all of the strips and especially the strips '44 and 49 as illustrated, are somewhat exaggerated as to thickness and width in order to clearly bring out the details of the fastening elements and interlocking features. In actual practice, these strips are sufficiently narrow and thin to permit their being bent or curved as a unit edgewise and flatwise in the longitudinal plane of the material, and also sidewise out of the original longitudinal plane of the material.

In some instances, it may be desirable to secure adjacent strips in edge to edge but not interlocking engagement as shown in Figure 12. In this arrangement, the strips 58 are extruded and stored or shipped separately and when it is desired to form a finish or sheathing, they may if desirable be applied to their supporting structure as separate units and curved or bent into the desired design as such.

Figure 14 discloses another modification in which the strips 59 are placed in abutting relation. One edge 69 of each strip is provided with a longitudinally extending substantially V- shaped recess or groove 5! and at spaced intervals this groove has formed therein a plurality of spaced holes or apertures S2 for the reception of fastening elements 63. If the strips are not formed by extrusion, the edges may be provided with a plurality of spaced recesses, in place of the longitudinally extending groove 68. By reason of the -V-shaped recesses having the holes 62 formed in one leg of the V, the fastening elements are concealed from view when the strips are placed in abutting relation. This is clearly shown in Figure 14 and it will be observed that the right hand end strip 64 is provided with the same fastening elements as those of the strips 44 and 45. With respect to the left hand strip 65,

this strip may be, if desired, provided with a.

vided with an inwardly facing groove 61 and an outwardly facing rib 68. When the intermediate strips are in locked position, it will be observed that the groove 61 of one strip receives the rib 68 of the next adjacent strip. With respect to the end strips, the right hand strip 69 is provided with a groove 6'! while the left hand strip 10 has formed thereon a rib 68. Obviously, it is unnecessary that each end strip have both the rib and groove arrangement. These strips however are provided with the type of fastening elements shown in Figure 4.

The strips 66 may be bent or curved as a unit when applied to the supporting structure, as in the previously described forms. It is to be understood however that these strips may be bent or curved before being applied or shipped to the point of distribution. For instance, a plurality of the strips 66 may be bent to the desired curvature and then separated for storage or shipment. Thereafter each strip may be applied singly to the supporting structure and interfitted with the other bent strips to form the complete finish. This preliminary bending or curving of the strips is not necessarily limited to this form of the invention but may be done wherever the strips have an interfitting or abutting engagement. Of course, where the strips are provided with interlocking elements, then it will be necessary to bend the strips as a unit and apply them in this relation to the building structure. If desired, the strips may be provided with concealed fastening means, similar to the recesses El and the elements 63 of Figure 15. In

this connection, one or more of the ribs @8 is provided with a plurality of spaced apertures I! for the reception of nails or screws '32. This is particularly desirable where a substantially wide finish or sheathing, having a large number of strips, is applied to the supporting structure 13. It will be apparent that when this additional fastening means is employed, the strips though capable of being bent as a unit must be applied singly, and that as each strip is interfitted with one which has been secured in place, the grooved portion 61 of the one being applied will overlie and conceal the rib 63 of the other strip.

In Figures 16 to 19 there are disclosed several modifications of end and intermediate fastening strips. In Figure 16 the end strip M is provided with a laterally extending end flange the inner face of which contacts with one wall of the supporting structure 76 and thus forms a neat finish, as well as constituting means for ac curately positioning and guiding the framework as it is applied to the supporting structure. In Figure 17 the strip H is provided with a lateral flange 18 in which is formed a groove for receiving the tongue of one of the intermediate strips. It will be observed that the greater portion of the strip H is secured to the sup-porting structure 19, which is at right angles to the wall receiving the intermediate strips of the finish.

In all of these last four views, the fastening strips are adapted to be positioned at the corners of the supporting structure, and in Figures 18 and 19 the strips 8%) and 89 are designed to accommodate outside and inside corners respectively, as distinguished from the end fastening strips 74 and H. The strip 80 is preferably formed with an outer rounded facing connecting two straight sides, each of which is provided with an interlocking element adapted to cooperate with one of the elements of the next adjacent intermediate strip. In Figure 19 the strip 8! is designed to accommodate an inside corner of the supporting structure 82 and similarly to the strip 80, this strip is provided with spaced interlocking elements adapted to cooperate with complementary elements on the adjacent intermediate strips of the finish. It is to be understood that these modifications are capable of use with any form of the invention. For instance, they may be used in connection with the strips and finish illustrated in the other views, wherever the supporting structure permits or as desired.

It is obvious that my invention may be utilized Wherever it is desired to provide a metallic finish or other ornamental facing to all sorts of building structures. The invention is, of course, not limited to outside finishes for building structures but is adapted for use wherever any metallic ornamental finish is desired. As one example, my invention may be very advantageously applied to finishes for wall or other mirrors, as shown in Figures 9 and 10. In this arrangement, several sets of strips may surround the mirror 83, a plurality of straight unbent strips 84 being utilized at the base of the mirror while another set of strips 85 are applied and bent as a unit about the straight and curved sides of the mirror. In this connection, and referring particularly to Figure 10, it will be observed that the innermost strip 85 is formed with an offset or shouldered portion 8? which receives the extreme edge of the mirror and which is adapted to clamp and securely retain the mirror in operative DOSltiOIl.

As in the strips 44 and 45, the strip 86 is formed with a longitudinal groove and spaced aperture for receiving suitable fastening elements 88.

As a further form of the invention, there is disclosed in Figure 11, a circular mirror which may be used as a wall mirror. In this arrangement, the strips 89 are bent or curved as a unit about the mirror 9!) and during the bending or curving operation, individual strips are moved longitudinally with respect to the next adjacent strips so that in the final form, the edges of the strips are in staggered relation as distinguished from being in alignment with respect to the outermost strip. These may be formed in several sections but as illustrated in Figure 11, each convolution comprises a single strip. It is, of course, necessary in forming the finish or sheathing in this manner, to determine beforehand, the exact length of each strip as it will appear after being bent about the mirror, due to the fact that the diameter of the innermost strip will differ in diameter from those of the other strips.

In the several views the strips are illustrated as having their interfitting longitudinal edge portions of less thicknes than their exposed longitudinal faces. It is conceivable however, that the strips may be formed with their concealed interfitting edges of greater width than their exposed faces. In other words and as shown in Figure 20 the strips 9! have their sides 92 provided with the interfitting elements 93, while their longitudinal edges 94 are plain. In this arrangement one longitudinal edge of each strip will form part of the front exposed face of the complete finish or sheathing while the other edge will contact with the wall or building structure. Thus, in forming a finish of the character shown in Figure 3, the strips will be bent or curved sidewise out of their longitudinal planes. However, if the sheathing of Figure 7 is to be formed, the strip will also be curved. edgewise in the longitudinal plane of the material. Therefore, regardless of how the strips are to be associated to form the finish, each strip must be sufficiently narrow and thin to permit its being bent or curved, individually and as a unit with other strips of like character, edgewise in the longitudinal plane of the material, and sidewise out of the longitudinal plane thereof.

In Figure 24, I have discolsed a form of interlocking joint between adjacent strips which will permit a considerable amount of lateral or swinging movement between adjacent strips. In this form, the strips 95 are provided with pronounced ball tongues 96 fitting in the sockets of the adjacent strips. Each tongue is bent laterally and forms with the body of the strip a curved slot for receiving a curved extension 91 of the adjacent strip. This arrangement therefore permits greater lateral movement than the form shown in Figure 4. It is to be understood, however, that the aluminum alloy of which the strips are made permits the strips of Figure 4 to be bent laterally with respect to each other, for the purpose of rolling.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that my invention is capable of many variations and uses as a sheathing or other finish for both the interior and exterior of building structures and furnishings therefor, and it is to be understood that its application is not necessarily limited to the several forms shown and described herein. Therefore, such variations from the construction herein shown and described as are within the skill of a mechanic may, of course, be made without departing from the range of my invention.

Where reference is made in the specification and claims to edge-wise bending, I do not intend to limit the invention to strips of any particular cross-sectional dimensions or shapes or to imply that the cross-sectional dimension in one direction is necessarily less than the dimension in the other direction. Obviously, the crosssectional shapes and dimensions may vary Widely without departing from the invention.

I claim:

1. A metal finish adapted to be laid on a supporting surface and comprising a plurality of ductile metallic strips, the longitudinal edge of each strip having an element interfitting with a complementary element on the edge of the next adjacent strip, said strips being bent as a unit without buckling so that the spacing between their faces remain uniform.

2. A metal finish adapted to be laid on a supporting surface and comprising a pluralityof ductile metallic strips having their adjacent longitudinal edges formed, one with a groove and the other with an interlocking tongue, said. strips being bent as a unit without buckling so that the spacing between their faces remain uniform.

3. A metal finish adapted to be laid on a supporting surface and comprising a plurality of ductile metallic strips having their longitudinal edges in interlocking relation, said strips being bent without buckling so that the spacing between their faces remain uniform, adjacent longitudinal edges having at least one face thereof beveled to form an ornamental surface and to permit relative lateral movement of said strips before bending.

4. A metal finish adapted to be laid on a supporting surface and comprising a plurality of ductile metallic strips having their longitudinal edges in contacting relation, said strips being bent Without buckling so that the spacing between their faces remain uniform, said strips having their longitudinal edges in interfitting and slidable relation, certain of said strips being bent edgewise and other of said strips being bent sidewise at at least one point in their lengths to form the finish.

5. A metal finish adapted to be laid on a supporting surface and comprising a plurality of ductile metallic strips having their longitudinal edges in contacting relation, said strips being bent without buckling so that the spacing between their faces remain uniform, at least one longitudinal edge of each strip having spaced recesses adapted to receive fastening elements for said strip, a longitudinal edge of an adjacent strip abutting the recessed edge and concealing the recesses.

6. A metal finish adapted to be laid on a supporting surface and comprising a plurality of ductile metallic strips having their longitudinal edges in contacting relation, said strips being bent without buckling so that the spacing between their faces remain uniform, one of said strips constituting a fastening and corner strip and being provided with an offset portion adapted to engage a corner of the supporting structure when the finish material is applied thereto.

7. A metal finish for use as a border and adapted to be laid on a supporting surface, said finish comprising a plurality of ductile metallic strips having their longitudinal edges in contacting relation, said strips being bent without buckling so that the spacing between their faces remain uniform, one of said. end strips having its free longitudinal edge provided with a shoulder adapted to overlie and engage the marginal portions of a flat element when the finish material is applied as a border to said element.

RAYMOND L. SMITH. 

